SkillsUSA North Dakota

Supported by the State Board for Career & Technical Education

From Your State Advisor:

This is a little late this year, as I have been traveling non-stop for the past few weeks but better

late than never. This past year has been a whirl-wind all around. After State last year, it was

straight into preparation for Nationals. We had a wonderful time at the NLSC which moved back

to Louisville, KY after 22 years. This year 43 students made the trip from ND and participating

students did a fantastic job. Three students from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpe-

ton received highest honors, winning Gold medals in their events: Stacy Rustand in Culinary Arts,

Austin Olin in Motorcycle Service Technology, and Isaac Rutten in the CNC Turning Specialist

contest. Christopher Meduna brought home a Gold for Mobile Electronics Installation represent-

ing Century High School and the Bismarck Career Academy. David Lohstreter of NDSCS earned a

Silver in CNC Milling. We also had several other students who placed in the top 10.

Just before Nationals we had our new officer training in Bismarck and I had a great time get-

ting to know a fantastic group of students (Madison, Miah, Karlie and Brady). In August, I trav-

eled to Grand Rapids, MI for the SkillsUSA State Director Conference and aside from my regular

duties, started working on Fall Conference. (Please see the Fall Conference article for details from

that conference.) I think everyone present would agree that Tracy’s Trivia should become a tradi-

tion.

In October, the new State Officers, (CeCe, Aidan and Rylan) and their Advisors, along with my-

self took a trip to Columbus, NE for the Mid-America Conference. It was a lot of work and very lit-

tle sleep, but an absolutely terrific experience. I wish everyone would go just once to truly learn

what SkillsUSA is all about.

As the crazy travel schedule is coming to an end, we shift back into State Conference planning.

BSC will host the Conference for the next couple of years so I will stay close to home. Although I

am very happy about that, I am so grateful to NDSCS and all of their support. I couldn’t ask for a

better place to host the State Conference and look forward to working with BSC this year.

I could never have survived this year without a lot of help from Lorie, Tracy, Clarke, the Offic-

ers Advisors, Executive Board and a lot of understanding from you all. I want to remind everyone

that all communication since the beginning of the 2015 school year has been and will continue to be

through our new SkillsUSA listserv. If you are not yet included and would like to be, please email

Lorie or myself. I wish you all very Happy Holidays and look forward to seeing you this Spring. As

always, I welcome suggestions for improvements. That does not guarantee they will happen, but I

promise to consider them carefully and try very hard not to get offended as I hope you will as well.

Again, I appreciate your understanding and your constant commitment to this Amazing Organiza-

tion. See you this Spring!

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We are looking for students to design a trading pin and t-shirt we can use at

the 2016 State and National Conferences. We are also looking for a student

enrolled in graphic communications to design a cover for the program of our

State Conference. To be eligible you must be a SkillsUSA member and en-

rolled in a CTE program. Contest rules can be found on our website:

www2.edutech.nodak.edu/ndskillsusa/conferences/conferencestate

Contact your local chapter advisor for more information.

Fall Conference

On October 5, 105 individuals from 8 ND Chapters gathered at the Baymont Inn

in Mandan for a day of learning what SkillsUSA is all about. Throughout the day stu-

dents rotated between workshop stations. These stations gave students information on

professional development, chapter meetings, fundraising, teambuilding, public relations,

employability skills and social events/chapter building. This year’s SkillsUSA Officer

team also presented workshops on SkillsUSA National Conference, State Conference and

community service. The Officer Team this year has picked the Anne Carlson School as

the charity we are supporting. Money boxes were given to each chapter present to take

back to their schools to collect as much change as possible and bring back to our state

conference in April. The day was a great opportunity for students to learn more about

SkillsUSA and make new friends with similar interests.

Make plans now for your chapter to celebrate SkillsUSA Week. It provides the op-

portunity to raise awareness of our organization. This can be accomplished through

field trips to local businesses, an open house for parents or industry partners, a visit

to local community organizations or providing news releases and public service an-

nouncements to local media. Involvement in activities such as these brings positive

recognition to SkillsUSA as well as to local schools and their students.

For more information and ideas on celebrating SkillsUSA Week, check out:

www.skillsusa.org/events-training/skillsusa-week/ideas-for-celebrating/. Or use

Mike Rowe’s public service announcements at www.tinyurl.com/MikeRowePSA.

Send pictures and article of what your local chapter is doing to

the state office for recognition in the next newsletter.